ACT school principals have been urged to keep students indoors during recess and lunch and to cancel all physical activity, as the smoke haze engulfs Canberra.
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In a letter to principals, the ACT Education Directorate has recommended all outdoor activities at schools be cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the smoke.
The smoke haze from bushfires burning near Braidwood and on the South Coast has blanketed the city since Saturday, causing air quality in Canberra to plummet.
ACT Health's own air quality monitoring service has rated Canberra's air as hazardous at its three stations in Civic, Monash and Florey as of midday on Tuesday.
According to one air quality monitoring service, Canberra's air quality is worse than Shanghai and Mumbai.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast for the smoke haze to cover Canberra until at least Thursday.
The Education Directorate has urged principals to keep activities indoors to protect students.
"The ACT Health directorate has recommended that due to poor air quality, all outdoor physical education activities in schools should be cancelled, including any planned sporting carnivals," the letter said.
"Extra precautions should be taken for children who are sensitive to the effects of smoke and air pollution.
"Schools are advised to ensure that students with asthma should have a current plan."
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While the smoke haze has eased compared to conditions on the weekend and on Monday, ACT health authorities have urged for Canberrans to avoid the smoky conditions if possible.
"Patches of smoke haze are expected throughout the day across Canberra, so we do advise that all Canberrans should continue to avoid prolonged or heavy physical activity when there is smoke around," an ACT Health spokesman said.
Canberrans have been advised to stay indoors with the windows and doors closed and stay in air-conditioned buildings with the air conditioner switched to recycle or recirculate.
Residents have been urged to visit places such as libraries, shopping centres and community centres to minimise the risk.
Canberrans were warned earlier this week not to wear masks such as surgical and facial masks after health officials said they don't completely seal around the mouth.
People who have pre-existing heart or lung conditions have been advised to take extra care and to avoid outdoor physical activity.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
